LHRC Launches the Tanzania Human Rights Report 2024

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), in collaboration with the Zanzibar Fighting Against Youth Challenges Organization (ZAFAYCO), has today launched the Tanzania Human Rights Report 2024 in Dar es Salaam. This marks the 23rd edition of the annual flagship report, which provides a comprehensive and independent assessment of the human rights situation in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The report serves as a vital tool for advocacy, public education, and policy reform.

The 2024 report is published under the theme “The Resurgence of Unknown Assailants”, reflecting growing concern over increased incidents of abductions, enforced disappearances, and physical attacks by unidentified individuals. These incidents have had a chilling effect on civil liberties and represent a major setback for the protection of human rights in Tanzania.

The report is the outcome of LHRC’s assessment of human rights situation in Tanzania in line with domestic, regional, and international human rights standards, including human rights conventions ratified by Tanzania and the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977. This was made possible using various data sources, both primary and secondary, including field data and internal data generated through LHRC’s programmes such as the Lega Aid Programme and the Human Rights Monitoring Programme. Secondary data included reports, speeches, and statements by government and non-government actors and institutions. LHRC’s media survey also provided an important data source for this report, enabling triangulation of data, and laying a foundation for further research.

Key issues relating to civil and political rights highlighted in the report include included mob violence; witchcraft-motivated killings; intimate partner homicide; abductions and disappearances; attacks and killing of persons with albinism (PWAs); arbitrary restrictions on freedoms of expression and assembly; limited access to justice; violations of rights of accused persons; and gaps in laws and policies.

Data shows that children constituted the majority of victims of human rights violations (41%), as was the case in 2023 whereby 47% of the victims of human rights violations were children. Women took the second place with 29%, followed by men (15%), the elderly (11%), and PWDs (4%). The percentage of women victims decreased by 1%, while the percentages for men, the elderly, and PWDs slightly increased by 5%, 1%, and 1% respectively. This suggests that special attention and increased investment are needed to safeguard the rights of special groups.

Compared to 2023, the report notes a slight overall decline in the enjoyment and protection of human rights in Tanzania. This regression is largely attributed to the rise in violations of civil and political rights, as well as a continued lack of accountability in law enforcement institutions.

LHRC urges the government, stakeholders, civil society, and citizens to reflect on the report’s findings and take decisive action toward strengthening human rights protections, advancing democratic governance, and ensuring accountability.

We encourage the public, media, civil society, and all stakeholders to download and read the full Tanzania Human Rights Report 2024.To access it, please visit our Resource Center.